Transport Canada regulations affect flying hobby

Hobbyists who fly model airplanes now have to follow new regulations put forward by Transport Canada.

Anyone who wants to fly a toy plane or drone that is heavier than 250 grams has to have a basic pilots license. Any flying field that happens to be in military airspace, such as the one in Consecon, the pilot must have an advanced flight certificate.

John Ferguson trying a new plane.

Because of the new regulations that went into effect a year ago, most of the model airplane flyers near Consecon have moved to an area just on the eastern side of Belleville well out of the CFB Trenton airspace.

Now the hobbyists must write a Transport Canada exam to get a basic pilot’s license before they can fly their planes if they are bigger than 250 grams and they must follow other regulations imposed by Transport Canada such as not flying higher than 400 ft or 122 meters.

The other flying club in Prince Edward County near Picton does not have to move as they are not located in military airspace but the pilots must have a basic pilot’s certificate and follow all Transport Canada rules.

Why the change? Transport Canada, according to their website that lists the rules, maintains the measures are needed to ensure all radio-controlled operators fly safely. The change is in response to a huge increase in drone use over the past several years, which if left unregulated can pose risks to large-scale airplanes.

I am a model airplane flyer and have been doing it for 18 years. I was a member of the Bay of Quinte Aeromodellers at Consecon before moving out of the area.

I wrote the basic exam and I felt it was not easy. I passed, but think many hobbyists will decide to retire from the hobby.

The flying Club in Consecon at first was located at a flying field off Victoria Road for 30 years then moved about seven years ago to the Consecon location.

The Bay of Quinte Aeromodellers were known for putting on a jet rally at CFB Mountainview for many years.

John Ferguson
now in Careleton Place